Inside window-blind



(No Model.) 2A Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. W. T. GILLIAM.

INSIDE WINDOW BLIND.

No. 484,957. y Patented Oct. 25, 1892.

In .-:E

11%/ 5/ ifs (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. W. T. GILLIAM.

INSIDE WINDOW BLIND.

No. 484,957. Patented Oct. 25, 1892.

INVENT [111:1-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. T. GILLIAM, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

INSIDE WINDOW-BLIND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 484,957, dated October 2,5, 1892.

Application ned April 30,1892.

To LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN W. T. GILLIAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore,in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inside Window-Blinds, of which the following is a specification.

-This invention relates to an improvement in inside window-blinds; and the object is to provide flexible blinds to roll up and be contained in casings at the sides of the Window when not in use and to draw out across the window in suitable guides.

To this end the invention consists in the novel features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention,Figure l shows an elevation of a window from the inside with the casing at one side in section and the two upper blinds drawn out and one of the lower blinds partly drawn out. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 shows a horizontal cross-section of one side of the casing on line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 shows a top View of the middle journal block or box with lid removed to disclose the spring and shows the roller in section, and also the casing in section.

The letter A designates the window-sill; B, the top front piece of the frame; C, the front pieces of the casing, and D the side pieces of the casing. The corners of the windowframing are boxed up by the molding-strips E and the inside pieces F to form boxes or casings extending the height of the window. The inside pieces F leave openings or slots ct between them and the front pieces C of the casings. Each of such casings has block G, secured in it at the middle and turned out in the upper side to form a circular chamber h, while in the under side it has a socket c. A roller H journals at one end in a block I, secured`to the top of the casing, and at the opposite or lower end in a lid J, secured over the box G. Said box contains a spring K, in the present instance having'the form of a clockspring, which is fastened at one end` to the roller and at the other to the box, and is contained in the chamber h. A similar roller L is journaled atits upper end in the socket c Serial No. 431,305. (No model.)

terial O, is fastened to each roller by passing one end of said canvas about the roller and suitably securing it thereto. Grooved guidestrips P are secured to the top and bottom of the window-frame, and at the middle of thev said frame, at about the position of the meeting-rails of the sashes, a cross-bar Q is fastened to the front pieces O of the casing by screws or other means and is grooved in its upper and lower sides and extends across the window.

The blinds slide in the grooves of the strips P and cross-bar Q and are guided thereby.

A rack R is on the upper edge of the barQ at each side of the window, and a pawl d is pivoted to each upper blind O and engages one of said racks. Likewise racks S are on the upper edge of the lower guide-strip P, and the two lower blinds each have a pivoted pawl e for engaging the same. Each blind has a knobfby which to draw it out.

Each blind is of such a length as when drawn out to come to the middle of the window, and it will be seen that upon drawing out a blind the spring on its roller Will be Wound up, wherebysaid spring will draw the blind back into the casing when released and wind it upon the roller.

The pivoted pawl on the blind dropping into the teeth of the rack on the guideway will hold the blind at any position it is desired to set it and serves as an automatic means for holding the blind Wherever it is stopped.

It will be observed that with my construction the blinds are wholly concealed within the casing and out of the way when not in use; but can be very readily brought into use by simply drawing them out in their guideways by the knobs f.

Where two blinds meet at the middle of the window, they will each have a rabbet, so as to overlap and completely close the window.

Another advantage of my construction is that any desired portion of thewindow may IOO When the blinds are to be opened, the pawls*A are lifted out of engagement with theracks,

which permits the blinds Vto be drawn bac-lcy into the casings by their springs.

The usual appearance of the window-fram ing is not aiected by the application thereto of my improved blinds, as I simply utilize the boxes of the casing or jamb for containing; `the `Wound-npblinds. There is ampleroom left for hanging rollershades and lace cur. tains, and it will be seen my style ofblinds possess an advantage over othersinthat theyl do not in any Way interferewith thecurtains.,

A window maybe very easily ittedWi-thy 1 this style of blind. The rollers will be first fitted into their boxes or blocks and thenl .introduced into the casings and the boxes or blocks secured in place and the casings closed up.

It is evident changes may be made in the `construction here shown and described Without departing from my invention.

Havingthus described my invention, what I claim as new,- and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

rlfhe combination of a window frame or casing having horizontal slideways, one side of one of which constitutes a rack, a spring-rol1er mountedfverticallyin bearings at one side of the i said window-frame, a flexible blind secured to and winding on said roller and fitting Vsaid horizontal slideways of the windowframe, and a pavrl carriedhby the flexible blind and adapted to' automatically engagetlie said frack, and thereby hold the blind at various @positions to which it may be drawn ont against the'action of thespringlroller.

`In testimony whereof I affix my signat'nre'in the presence of twowitnesses.

JGHN W. T. LGfILLIfAM.

Witnesses: v l

'JOHN J. W. WILSON, F. PARKER DAVIS. 

